Can-end-feed mechanism



J. A. GRAY. CAN END FEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8, I916- 1,34:9,883. I

2 SHEETS-SIIEET I.

II N

INVENTOR. W I T NEIS'S.

42; ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

1. AQGRAY.

CAN END FEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8 1916. 1,349,883, Patented Aug". 1'2, 1920 ZSHEETS=-SHEET 2.

WITNESS ,INVENTOR.

l 1 BY ma 42 Q 652 46 'fi'EATTORNEK Uuirso srarss Parent OFFICE.

JAMES A. GRAY, OF sen FRANCISCO, centennial, as'srenon 'ro AMERICAN can COMPANY, or SAN rnanorsoo", CALIFORNIA, .e oonronarroin or NEW JERSEY.

CAN-END-FEED MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Alig. 17, 1920.

Application filed September 8, 1916. Serial No. 119,063.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES A, GRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county oi San Francisco and State of alitornia, have invented certain. new and useful. Im1n'ovements in (JanEnd-Feed Mechanism, -1 which the following. is a specification.

The present invention relates to an. apparatus tor feeding a can end front a supply thereof, and positioning the same relative to a can body. p

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus tor the described pin-pose in which the moving parts are reduced to the least possible 11 nber, and in which. the movements of said parts are as small as is consistent with ni'acticable operation. To achieve this result I employ a simple form ot conveyer mechanism for the can bodies, which advances said bodies, by intermittent movement, in a straight path through the machine, and by means of the novel can end feed mechanism hereinafter described, I remove the lowermost can end from a stack of ends contained within a magazine, and apply the same to a positioned can body.

In order to more fully comprel'iend the invention, reference should be had. to the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation. of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and viewed in the direction otthe arrows.

Fig. 3 is a detailed plan view, enlarged, ot the ean end feed mechanism, certain parts lioing broken away for the sake of clearness. y

Fin. 4; is a view similar to Fig.1 3, the parts being shown in different positions.

'l ig. 5 is a detailed vertical. sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. and viewed in the direction oi. the arrows.

in the drawings, the reference numeral 1 rates a suitably constructed frame,

upon which is supported a table 2. longitudinally disposed drive shaft 3, Fig. 1 of he drawings, is suitably supported in journals 1- carried by the frame 1, and has mounted upon the end thereof a belt pulley tor receiving power from an outside source, not shown in the drawings. A mutilated worm (5 is hired upon said drive shaft 8,.and meshes with a corresponding worm wheel 7, the latter being fixed upon. a trans verse shaft 8. Said shaft 8 also carries a sprocket 9, on which operates a teed chain 10, supported at its other end by an idler sprocket 1.1. The upper run oli said feed chain 10 operates witltiin a groove 12, Figs. 2 and 3 of the tllitWll'lgS, iii the surface of the table 2. A series of spaced lugs or flights 1-3 are carried by said chains to the purpose of ei'lgaging and advancing the can bOCl16S l4l; on the table 2, as shown particularly in Fig. 1 and spaced parallel guide ralls 15, suitably supported above said table 2, are provided to guide said can bodies in the1r proper path. Thus, it will readily be understood that a series of said can bodies 14:, placed upon; the table 2 at s left hand on d, viewed in ll ig. 1., by any means not shown in the drawings, willbe carried alon said table, between the guide rails 15, in series of intermittent movements, by the feed chain 10, and may be removed irom said table at its ri it hand end, by any suitable device, rs, torexamplie, a horizontall rotatable turret indicated at 16 in Fig}. 1.

Positioned above the table 2near central portion, and supported thereby, is a magazine 17, adapted to contain a stack of can ends 18. Eiaid magazine comprises a lower plate 19, having formed therein an aperture 20 of proper size and shape to permit of the passage therethrough of a can end, and a plurality of vertically dis posed guide rods 21 extendinp upwardly there'lirom. Beneath said lower plate 19 is a member 22, which forms the bottom of the magazine, and which has guide members 23 extenrhng laterally therefrom. Said guide members 23 have guide ways 24:

formed therein, and in said guide ways is carried a reciprocating slide men'lber 25 havingta Feed plate 26 secured thereto. Said. slide member is reciprocatml by means oi. an eccentric 27, Fig. 2 oi? the drawings, mounted upon the drive shaft 3, the strap 23 thereof heingconnected, through a bell craulr 29 and a link 30, with the slide member 25. y

The lower plate 19 of the can andmagazinc is recessed on its under side, as shown at 31, in Fig. 501? the drawings, and a plate 32, Figs. 2, 3, l and 5, lies y iin said recess 31 and is adapted for partial rotation therein.

An arm 33, Figs. Sand 4', extendil'ig laterally from said movable plate 32, tl'irough an aperture 34 in the side of the member 19, is connected at 35 with the upper end of a vertical lever 36, the latter being iulcrumed at 37, Fig. 2 of the drawings, and carrying on its lower end a roller 38 adapted to follow a groove 39 formed in a cam member 40, mounted upon the drive shaft 3. Thus by the rotation of said drive shaft and the cam 40 mounted thereon, the movable plate 32, lying within the lower portion 19 of the magazine 17, is oscillated.

The movable plate 32 has formed therein an aperture41'ot a proper size to permit the passage therethrough or a can end. Said plate 32 is retained within the recess 31 of the member 19 by means of a fined plate 42, secured to said member 19, as shown at 43 in Fig. 2 of the drawings, said fixed plate 42 having formed therein an aperture 42, similarin size and shape to the apertures 20 and 41 of the plates 19 and 32 respectively, but set out of alinement with said aperture 20 01 said fixed upper plate 19. Beneath aid lower fixed plate 42, and between the plate and the bottom magazine member 22, is a transversely disposed channel 44, Figs. 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings, within which the feed plate 26 is adapted to slide, and through which a can end may be ejected from the magazine by said teed plate.

The stack of can ends 18 within the magazine 17 normally rest upon the projecting edges 45 of the movable plate 32, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, said plate being positioned with its aperture 41 out or alinement with the aperture 20 01" the lower magazine member 19. The oscillation of said plate 32 brings its aperture 41 into alinement with the aperture 20 of said magazine member 19, but in this position the aperture 41 of said plate 32 is out of alinement with the aperture 42 in the lower fixed plate 42, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The stack of can ends therefore drops down until the lowermost ca n ends 18 rests upon the projecting edges 46, Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings, of the lower fixed apertured plate 42. Said lowermost can end 18' in this position lies within the aperture 41 of the movable plate 32, the thickness of said plate being the same as that of said can end. The plate 32 is then returned to its first position, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, thereby bringing its aperture 41 into alinement with the aperture 42 in the lower fixed plate 42, and out of alinement with the aperture 20 in the upper fixed member 19. The can end 18, lying within the aperture 41 of said plate 32, thereupon drops through the aperture 42 or" thelower fixed plate 42 and rests upon the bottom magazine member 22, within the channel 44, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. At the same time the remainder of the stack of can ends 18 messes rests upon the projecting edges 45 of the movable plate 32.

The lowermost can end 18 is ted through the channel 44 by the ad 'ancing .tced plate 26, and permitted to drop onto a can body 14 positioned correctly for the application of said end 13, by the teed chain 10. The can 14, with its end loosely applied thereto, is then carried out of the machine by said feed chain 10.

It will be readily understood by the foregoing, and by reference to the ;'.ccomp:',n ving drawings, that by the properly correlated movements oi? the food chain 10 and the can end feed mechanism, each can body 14 is brought to rest in a position to receive a can end through the feed channel 4-1:; and as each can body is so positioned, the lower most can end 18 of the stack within the magazine 17 is freed therefrom and removed by the reciprocating i'eed plate 20.

The invention has hereinbcl'ore been de scribed and is herewith illustrated in its preferred form. I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself thereto, however, for the reason that changes may be made in fo m and cmmtruction without in any way aliecting the principles ol' the invclnlon. and 1 therefore wish to be understood as claim ing the invention as broadlv as the male of llaving thus described my invention, what 1 clain as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

a teed mechanism for non-circular can c the combination of a holder adapt ed to contain a stack of can ends and having means for holding the can ends from turning in their own planes, an oscillating incnibcr adapted to be turned in a plane parallel wilh the can ends to a lirst can end receiving position and then to a second stacli-s-uip nn'ling position and having means of non-circular arrrnigcl'ncnt which in said lirst position pcrmit the passage of a can end and which in said second position support the slack excepting the lowermost can cud, means l'or oscillating said lll'vlHlHl alternately to said positions, and a plate below said o.-1cillating member having means which support thc stack in said first position ol the oscillating member and which permit the passage ol' the rcccivczl and turned can cnd in said second position.

In a l'ced UHrTlnllllf-lil i'or non-circular can ends, the combination o'l' a holder adapted to contain a stack oi can ends and baring means i or holding the can ends ironl turning in their own plancs. an oscillating nicinbcr adapted to he turned in a plane parallel with the can ends to a lirst can end receiving position and then to a second stnclesnpportlug position and having an aperture of noncircula shape. which in said first position permits the passage ol a can end, which ill) member in said second position supports the received and turned can end in said second position.

In a teed mechaism for noncircular can ends, the con'ibination of a holder adapted to contain a stack of can ends and having means for holding the can ends :trom turning in their own planes, an oscillating member adapted to be turned in planes parallel with the can ends to a first can end receiving position and then to a second stacksupporting position and having means non-circular gement which in said first position pernnt the passage of a can .end and which in said second position support the stack excepting the lowermost can end, means for oscillating said n'iember alternately to said positions, and a plate below said oscillating z'nember having means which support the steel: in said first position of the oscillating n'iembcr and which permit the passage of the received and turned can end in said second position, a can body carrier, and means for feeding a, cai' end, which. has passed down through said bottom plate, to a can on said carrier.

4;. ln feed mechanism. for can ends, the nation of can end stacl-z holder, a -sup;" orting member having a stacksu norting position under said. holder and tnrnablc in a plane parallel with the can ends and adapted. when turned to another position to rereire a can end and to engage and turn the same when said l'HGIHlJGl' is returned to its staclosupporting position, means be low salt member for supporting the stack when said mei'nber is in its receiril'ig position, and mechanism tor reciprocatin said member alternately to said positions.

3. lit a feed mechanism for can ends, the combination oil a can end stack holder, a 'lt-supl mrting member having a stack sup-writing position under said holder and turnable in a plane parallel "J'Fliill the can ends and adapted when turned to another position to receive can end and to engage and turn the same when said member returned to its stack supportin position, means for sup nirting the steel; when said member is in its receiving position, and mechanism for Ii3( lj;):'OC" "2," said member alternately to said pos tions comprising an arm on said member, an oscillatii'ig lever and a cam.

(S, in a feed mechanism for can ends, the combination of a min end stack holder, a tin-sable staclc-supporting member under stw said holder adapted to be positioned tosup port the stacked can ends and when turned to another position to receive a can end and to engage and turn the same when said member is returned to its stack supportii'lg position, means for supporting the stack when said member is in its receiving position, and mechanism for reciprocating said member alternately to said positions comprising an oscillating lever, a cam and a rotary shaft carrying said cam; an eccentric on said shaft, a second oscillating lever, a link, and a feed slide connected with said link for removing a can end deposited by said member.

'7. A can end i'eed mechanism comprising a holder adapted to contain a stack of noncircular can ends, a stationary member normally i orn'iing the bottom support for said stack of can ends, said member having an aperture adapted :i'or the passage therethrough oi a can end and positioned out of alinement with the stack of can ends within the holder, a movable member sijlperposed upon said stationary member, said movable member having a non-circular aperture adapted for the passage therethrough oil? a can end and to engage and turn the same in its own plane, and n'icchanism ing the last mentioned. member to carry its aperture into alinement successively with said stack of can ends and the aperture of c said stationary member, for successively separating the lowermost can end from said stack.

8, A can end feed mechanism comprising a holder adapted to contain a stack of can ends, a stationary member normally cforming the bottom support for said stack (d can ends, said. member having an aperture adapted :lor the passage therethrough of a can end and positioned out oil alinement with the stack oi can ends within the holder, an oscillating member superposed upon said stationary member and turi'iable in a plane parallel with the can ends, said oscillating member having an aperture adapted for the passage therethrough of a can end, mechanism for oscillating said member to carry its aperture into alinement successively with said stack of can ends and the aperture ol. said stationary member, for successively sop arating the lowermost can end from said stack, and means for removing said separated lowermost can end from the holder.

9. A can end feed. mechanism com prising a holder ada 1 ted to contain a stack of can ends, a stationary member normally l filll'ling the bottom support for said stack of can ends, said member having an aperture adapted for the passage therethrougli of a can end and posi ioned out of alinen'ient with the stack of can ends within the holder, an oscillating member sinperposed upon said stationary member and turnable in a plane iarallel with the can ends, said oscillating member having an aperture adapted or the for H102" passage therethrough of a can end, meclv anism for oscillating said member to carry its aperture into alinement successively with said stack of can ends and the aperture of said stationary member, for successively separating the lowermost can end from said mechanism for moving said member to carry itsaperture out of alineinent with said stack of can endsand thereby cause it to support said stack, with the exception of said lowermost can end thereof, means for removing said lowermost can end from below the aperture of said member comprising a reciprocating feed slide for placing said can end upon a positioned can body, and devices for positioning said can body in proper timed relation to the movements of said feed slide.

11. A can end feed mechanism comprising a holder adapted to .contain a stack of can ends, an oscillating member engaging the can ends laterally and associated with the lower portion of said holder and turning in a plane parallel with the can ends for turning thelowermost can end as described and separating it from said stack, and supporting the remainder of said stack, reciprocatin g devices for removing the freed lowermost can end from said holder and placing the same upon a positioned can body, conveyer means for positioning said can body for the reception of said can end, and mech anism for operating said ocillating member, said reciprocating devices, and said conveyer means in timed relation.

'12. In a machine for feeding non-circular can ends and the like, the combination 01'? a stack holder adapted to contain the can ends superposed flatwise on each other, two supports in line with said stack holder and each adapted to alternately support the stack and permit the passage of a can end along a path. in line with said holder, one of said supports having its supporting function while the other of said support permits said passage of a can endand means for turning one of said suppor relative to the other in a plane parallel with the can ends and around the said path of feeding of the can ends as they leave the stack, the said turning support having means for engaging the can ends laterally to turn the same as described.

13. In a mechanism for feeding non-circular can ends, the combination of a holder masses adapted to contain a stack of such can ends and comprising means to hold the same from turning, and alternately acting supports for the stack engageable with opposite portions of the taco ol :1 contacting an end, the first support being arranged between the stack holder and the second support, and being turnable relative-to said stacl: holder into position to receive a can end from the stack and permit the latter to engage the second support and into another position to support the stack and to thereby turn the said can end out of engagement with the second support.

let. A. can end feed mechanism comprising a holder adaptcd to contain a stack of non-circular :an ends. a lxcd plate bclow aid holder having a non-circula aperture out of line and registry with the can ends when the latter are stacked in said holder, a horizontal oscillatory member turnuble around the axis oi" said holde and arranged between said holder and fixed plate and haw ing an aperture adapted to register with such can ends or with the aperture in said lixcd plate, and mechanism for moving said nicmber alternately to its said registering positions.

15. In a mechanism for feeding non-circular can ends, the combination of a holder adapted to contain a stack o'l such can ends and comprising means to hold the same from turning, alternately acting supports for the tack engage-able with oppo ite portions oli he lace o'li a contacting can end, the first support being arranged between the stack holder and the second support, and being tnrnable relative to said stack holder into position to receive a can end from the slack and permit the latter to engage the second support and into another position to support the stack and to thereby turn the said can end out of engagement with the second support, a can carrier, and means For placing the disengaged can ends successively on the cans presented by said carrier.

16. In a mechanism for leeding non circular can ends, the combinzdion of a stack holder adapted to hold said can ends Sll])0lposed flatwise on one another and comprising means for preventing the same l'rom turning around. the axis ol the stock, a support for said can ends turnablc rclalivc to said stack holder around said axis and adapted in a first position to engage under opposite portions of the contacting can end and having an aperture which in :1 second position receives the said can end, the latter acting at such time to support the other can ends in the stack out oi the sphere of action of said turnable support, and said aperture corresponding in shape with the can ends so as to engage and turn them successively edgewise around the axis ol the stack holder, and a second support arlid ranged at that side of said turnable support which is away from the stack holder, said. second support being adapted to engage opposite portions oi the can end which is within the turnable support when the latter is in said second position, said can end being removed from said second support when it is turned by the restoration of the turnable support to its first position, and means for actuating said turnable support,

17. In a mechanism for feeding non-circular can ends, the combination of a stack holder adapted to hold said 'an ends superposed l'latwise on one another and comprising means for preventing the same from turning around the axis of the stack, an oscillatory support for said can ends turnable relative to said stack holder around said axis and adapted in a first position to engage under diagonally opposite portions oil? the iace oi the contacting can end and having an apertiu'e which in a second position receives the said can end, the latter acting at such time to support the other can ends in the stack out 01 the sphere of action of said oscillatory support, and said apcr ture corresponding in shape with the can ends so as to engage and turn them successively edgewise around the axis of the stack holder, and a second support arranged at that side of said oscillatory support which is away from the stack holder, said second. support being adapted to engage diagonally opposite portions of the iiace of the can end which is within the oscillatory support when the latter is in said second position, said can end being removed from said sec ond support when it is turned by the res toration of the oscillatory support to its first position, and means for actuating said oscillatory support.

18. In a mechanism for feedingnon-circular can ends, the cimibination of a stack holder adapted to hold said can ends supen pus flatwise on one another and comprising means for preventing the same from turi'iing around the axis oi? the stack, a support for said can ends turnable relative to said stack. holder around said axis and adapted in a first position to engage under opposite portions of the contacting can end and having an aperture which in a second position receives the said can end, the latter acting at such time to support the other can ends in the stack out of the sphere of action of said turnable support, and said aperture corresponding in shape with the can ends so as to engage and turn them successively edgewise around the axis of the stack holder, and a second support arranged at that side of said turnable support which is away from the stack holder, said second support being adapted to on gage opposite portions of the can end which is within the turnable support when the latter is in. said second position, said can end. being removed from said. second support when it is turned by the restoration oil? the turnable support to its first position, means for actuating said tin'nable support, a can carrier, and means for placing the removed can ends succ ssively on the cans presented by said carrier.

'19. In a machine for feeding non-ci.rcular can ends, the combination. of a stack holder for holding the can ends superposed flatwise on each other and comprising means for holding them from turning in their own planes, means at two diil'erent levels under said means for holding the can ends from turning and for alternately supporting the stack by engaging under portions of a lowermost can end, the upper of said supporting means being shaped to engage a 'an end laterally for turning said can end in its own plane and itself turning into and out of supporting position.

20. In a mecltianisn'i for feeding non-circular can ends and the like, the combination of three elements apertured for the passage of the can ends flatwise and arranged along the path of the can ends and constructed to permit successively the passage of the can ends, the first and second elements being constructed to engage the can ends at their sides, the second element being turnable in a plane transverse to the path of the can ends and in a plane parallel with the plane of the can ends to alternately arrest and permit the passage of the can ends, and the third. element being constructed to arrest the passage of? the can ends when they are otherwise free to pass the first and second. elements, and means for turning the second elci'nent alternately out of and into can end arresting position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence oi two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES A. GRAY.

Witnesses N. A. Aonnn, D. B. RIoHAnns. 

